Cutting die for ornamenting parts of shoe uppers



c. s. KNIGHT 2,213,586 CUTTING D IE FOR ORNAMENTING PARTS OF SHOE UPPERSI Sept, 3, 1940.

Filed Oct. 25, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .0; nmmomomow INVENTOR ATTORNEY.

c. s. KNIGHT 2,213,586 CUTTING DIE FOR ORNAMENTING PARTS OF SHOE vPPERsSept. 3, 1940.

Filed Oct. 25, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR W5.

ATTORNEY, I

C. S. KNIGHT Sept. 3, 1940.

CUTTING DIE FOR ORNAMENTING PARTS OF SHOE UPFERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed001;. 25, 1958 ATTORNEY P 3, 1940 c. s. KNIGHT 2,213,586

CUTTING DIE FOR ORNAMENTING PARTS OF SHOE UPFERS Filed Oct. 25, 1938 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 3, 1940 TEN lCE CUTTING DIE FORORNAMENTING PARTS OF SHOE UPPERS Chesterton S. Knight, .Brockton, Mass,assignor to Geo. Knight & 00.,

Brockton, Mass, a copartnership composed of George Knight, George R.Knight, Chesterton S. Knight, Knight, and Carlton E. Knight F. StuartApplication October 25, 1938, Serial No. 236,851

19 Claims.

This invention relates to dies for perforating, marking or cutting partsof the uppers of shoes.

It is especially concerned with dies of this type designed to operate onVamps, and on any other similarly shaped pieces of stock in whichessentially the same problems are presented as, for example, on the wingtips of some styles of shoes. Such parts will be hereinafter included inthe v specification and claims, where the context perm mits, in theterms vamp or Vamps. It is a common practice to ornament the edge of thethroat portion of a vamp by perforating, pinking, or often by acombination of the two.

Because of the expense involved in making perforating dies of the commonrigid type necessary to handle a complete range of sizes of Vamps, ithas been the more common custom to perforate these portions of a shoe ona machine in which the perforating operation proceeds progressivelyalong the edge of the work. The pinking operation has been done in thesame manner. Such a method obviously involves a considerably greaterlabor cost than that required in performing the entire operation on avamp in one stroke of a per- 5, forating press.

With a view to obviating this difiiculty it has been pro-posed to makeadjustable dies for doing this work in a perforating press, but theseconstructions have been so complicated and have had so manyobjectionable features, that they have not attained any substantialdegree of commercial success.

The present invention aims to devise an adjustable vamp die which can beused in the same 35.v manner as a solid die, will be simple inconstruction, rapid and reliable in operation, economical in upkeep andwhich can be manufactured at a reasonable expense.

The nature of the invention will be readily 40; understood from thefollowing description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan View of a die structure constructed in accordancewith this invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan View showing a series of central 50;clie sectionsadapted to be used with a single pair of wing dies or lateral diesections; I

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of portions of the die structure shown inFigs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of one of the gauge 5 5 pins and itssupporting bushing;

Fig. 6 is a chart or diagram showing the range of sizes with which thedifferent inserts illustrated in Fig. 3 may be used; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the procedure followed inlaying out the die structure shown;

Referring first to Fig. 7, the outline of a typical vamp pattern or vampis shown at A. Assuming that this is a size 11 a corresponding pattern afor a 5 would have the outline shown in dotted lines at B. Thesimilarity in shape and the difference in size of these two Vamps isclear from the fact that they are superposed on the same center line.Considering now merely the lateral edges a and b at one side of thethroat portions of these two Vamps, and assuming that the smaller one ismoved up until the edge I) registers as nearly as possible with the edgea, it will be found that these two edges register almost or quite ex-'actly with each other from a point near the upper left-hand corner downto the point e where the edge b swings inwardly away from the edge a.

Obviously the same will be true at the other side of the throat. Thus itwill be evident that if a die section were made to perforate the entireedge a from the point 0 to the point d (or more properly to thebeginning of the lasting allow-I ance adjacent to the latter point) thesame section could also be used to perforate the corresponding portionof the edge 12 down to the point e.

- The present invention proposes to make use of this fact. In otherwords, it provides a die having two lateral sections adapted,respectively, to perforate the edge a between the points 0 and d and theedge a. between the corresponding points 0' and d.

It will be evident that in order to complete the perforation of, theentire edge of the throat of the vamp A, it will be necessary to providea central die section to operate on the portion of the edge .0, f, c. Itwill also be clear, however,

' that the same lateral dies can be used to perforate the vamp B ifanother central die section is provided to perforate that portion of theedge between the points e and 6'. Similarly, these same wing dies l0 andI0", Fig. 1, are arranged to co- 5 operate with any section l6 and aremounted for adjustment into diiferent positions appropriate foroperation on the various sizes of vamps. In this particular constructionprovision is made for supporting each of the central sections with theirapproximately horizontal cutting edges in a common line extendingthrough the point f, Fig. '7. The perforating and cutting portions ofthese center dies will vary in width as measured along the center line:13x and also in length. Consequently, it is necessary that theadjustment of the lateral dies and H3 shall include provision for movingthem backward and forward and also laterally to accommodate thevariations in dimensions of the throat portions of diiferent sizes ofvamps.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the die structure there showncomprises a relatively thick base plate 2 and a stripper plate 3 spacedfrom it. Between these two plates is mounted a slide comprising a plate4 having bars and 5 secured rigidly to it, or made integral therewith,and fitting snugly but slidably in grooves formed in the base plate. Oneof these grooves is shown in Fig. 4 at 6. Gibs, one of which is shown inFig. 4 at I, cooperate with the plate 4 to hold the bars in theirrespective grooves. As best shown in Fig. 2, the base plate 2 is routedout to provide recesses 8 and 8' in which the lateral die sections I0and H! are mounted. These dies are connected with the respective bars 5and 5 by pins or rolls I 1-! i, Fig. 2, running in cross slots formed inthe bars.

As above indicated, the two die sections l0 and ID are designed toperforate the edges a and a, Fig.7, of the vamp A, behind the respectivepoints 0 and 0. And the adjustment of them requires not only alongitudinal sliding movement which is imparted. to them through theslide 4 and bars 5 and 5, as will presently be described, but also apivotal movement. It is preferable to locate the pivots for these twosections on points g and g, respectively, which bear approximately therelationship to the edges a and a shown in Fig. 7. Provision is made foradjusting these pivot points along the respective lines :B1/ and x-y'.For this reason the base plate 2 is grooved on its lower surface to,receive slides l2l2' which are pivoted to the die sections l0 and ID atl3 and [3, respectively, the axes of these pivots correspondingapproximately to the pivot points g and g. Strong springs I4-I4' act onthe slides to pull them toward the front of the die structure, thesesprings being anchored to a plate l5 secured rigidly to the bottom ofthe plate 2. Thus they serve to hold the adjacent ends of the diesections l0 and ID in contact with their cooperating central die sectionI6, Fig. 1.

The adjustment of said dies l0 and I0 is effected through the operationof a lever I'I, Fig. 1, pivoted on the base 2 at l8 and provided with acam slot in which a. pin or roll 2| is mounted, such pin being securedin the plate 4 and projecting downwardly therefrom as shown in Fig. 4.Cooperating with the lever is a pointer 22 movable therewith over themargin of a size scale 23. A spring pressed detent or pin 24 mounted onthe lever is arranged to enter any one of a series of notches 25 formedin the edge of the scale plate to lock the lever in different positionsof adjustment. The pin is equipped with a knurled handle 26 by means ofwhich it may be withdrawn from the notches to unlock the lever.

Adjustment of the wing dies to a different center die is accomplished byswinging the lever I1 .aft relationship of the dies toward the left,Fig. 1, to a position somewhat beyond the last size notch. As it passesthis point the forward edge of the plate 4 engages two pins or rolls21-21 carried by and projecting upwardly from the respective slides I2and I2 so that further rearward movement of the plate moves the slidesbackwardly. They carry the pivots |3l3' with them. At the same time thebars 5 and 5 are moving the dies I I! and I0 rearwardly. Thus a combinedlongitudinal sliding and pivotal movement is imparted to each of thelateral die sections. As soon as these parts have been moved out oftheir cooperative relationship to the central die section IS, the lattermay be removed and replaced with another of a. different size. When thishas been done the lever I1 is swung toward the right, Fig. 1, and thedie sections In and I0 thereupon are drawn forwardly by the springsl4--l4 acting through the slides l2 and I2 until the forward edges ofthe lateral dies strike the rearward edge of the newly inserted die Hi.This die bears a number and it has been selected presumably by referenceto the chart shown in Fig. 6, the die numbers being found in theleft-hand column under the heading Ins. (abbreviation for insert). Theoperator then moves the lever I! to locate the pointer 22 opposite thesize number on the scale 23 corresponding to that of the vamp which heis to perforate. This latter movement of the lever does not change thefore and I0 and [0' with reference to the center die 16 since that iscontrolled by direct contact of the center and wing dies with eachother, the rearward edge of the plate 4 having been withdrawn fromcontact with the pins 2127. With the die parts in this position,however, which is correct so far as fore and aft adjustment is concernedfor operating on certain length sizes as specified in the chart 30, Fig.6, the wing dies l0 and I0 may still be swung on their respective pivotsl3 and [3' by movement of the lever I! in order to position themproperly for operation on different sizes. Such movements of the levermove the slide 4 slightly and, through the bars 5 and 5' and thecooperating pins II and II, swing the lateral dies toward or from eachother.

Each of the center dies is mounted in a fixed position in the diestructure. These dies are indicated in general by the numeral [6, thedifferent sizes being designated in Fig. 3 by subletters associated withsaid numeral. By referring to the latter figure it will be observed thateach of the dies there shown is provided with two dowel pins 3I3l, rigidtherewith and exg tending downwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 4.These pins are adapted to enter holes in the bed plate 2. The cutting,marking, or other ornamenting elements, consisting in this case of apinking knife P and perforating tubes T, are mounted on the bases ofthese die sections in such a manner that corresponding elements ofdifferent dies of the entire series bear the same relation to thecenters of the dowels 3|3l. Referring, for example, to the top die I61,Fig. 3, it will be observed that the point of the center pink 7) is inthe center line connecting said dowels. This pink is usually made largerthan the others because it is customarily used as a guide mark inassembling the vamps with other parts of the uppers. This samerelationship is maintained in all the other center dies. In general,this center pink may be regarded as corresponding to the point J, Fig.:7, and accordingly this arrangement ensures the centering of the pink1), Fig. 3, of each die substantially on the point 1, or on somecorresponding point selected for this purpose in dies of other designs.

In order to facilitate the registration of the die elements of thesections Ill-40' with those on the center die !6, each of the latterdies is provided with keyways 32--32, Fig. 3, to be engaged bycorresponding keys extending forwardly from the ends of the lateraldies. While these keyways are located further apart on the die "if thanon any of the others, it will be observed that the axes of the pivotsl3l3 travel along the respective lines :B11 and r-y, Fig. 7, duringadjustment into different size positions. Accordingly, the registeringkeys which enter these keyways will necessarily be farther apart whenthe lateral dies are adjusted to cooperate with a large center die thanwith a small one.

Each of the lateral die sections also carries a locking lug 34, Figs. 1and 4, which overlaps the upper margin of the center die and prevents itfrom being lifted out of place accidentally. When the lever 11 is swungto the left, Fig. 1, to move the lateral dies backwardly, that move mentalso releases the center die from the looking lugs 34-44 so that the diecan then be lifted out of its operative position and can be replaced byanother one.

In their general construction the dies may be like the solid diesheretofore used in perforating presses. The lower portions of the diesl8 and Hi under the perforating tubes are routed out, as shown at 35 inFig. 2, to permit the pills forced through the tubes to drop out of thedie structure. Also, the base plate Z'is similarly machined out topermit the escape of the pills discharged by the center die Hi. All ofthese dies also may be equipped with the usual spring pressed gage pins,one of which is shown at 35 in Fig. 5, to assist in positioning thework. It will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 3 that each of thecenter dies is provided with two holes 37-3? for the passagetherethrough of two of these positioning pins 36 mounted in the baseplate 2, as shown in Fig. i. Portions of the lateral dies overlap partsof the base plate at both top and bottom so as to hold these dies intheir operative positions in the die struc ture while permitting theadjusting movements of them, as above described. Two hold-down springs38-38, Fig. 1, are. provided on the stripper plate 3 to hold thematerial firmly, but

releasably, against the surface of said plate. Preferably an improvedform of guide pin 36 is used. It is illustrated in Fig. 5. As thereshown the pin itself is mounted in a bushing 42 having a shank which isscrewthreaded into the base plate 2. The top of this bushing isapproximately level with the surface of the die plate except for anintegral tubular extension projecting somewhat there-above. This bushingthus provides a long guiding surface in which the pin 36 can slide, andwhich affords ample lateral support for it. Its upward movement underthe influence of the spring 43 is limited by a shoulder or flange 44formed on the lower end of the pin. Thus this pin is mountedindependently of both the pin plate and stripper plate, whereas in priorconstructions one or the other of these members has been depended uponto guide or to give lateral support to the pin. Preferably the bushingis provided with notches 45 to receive a screw driver, spanner wrench,or other tool by means of which it can be screwed into or out of place.

Preferably a rigid handle or bail 40 is fastened securely to the base 2where it may be conveniently grasped by the operator and used in pushingthe die into the press and withdrawing .it therefrom in accordance withthe usual practice.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the invention provides a diestructure adapted for use in ornamenting vamps which can be used in thesame Way as a solid perforating die and with which vamps can beperforated at a single stroke of the press in exactly the same manner ashas been customary heretofore in operating on other parts of shoe uppersto ornament them. At the same time the die is adjustable to accommodatean entire range of sizes. While the particular die shown is designed totake sizes from 5 to 14, inclusive, in four widths, it will be evidentthat merely by making suitable changes in design a die structureembodying the same features can be made to accommodate a larger orsmaller range of sizes. Also, the nature of the construction is suchthat the die can be manufactured within reasonable price limits, and ithas the sturdy qualities necessary to enable it to give an ample periodof service without requiring excessive expenditures for 'upkeep.

It usually is not necessary to use a separate center die section foreach size of shoes, and a typical range of sizes which can be perforatedwith a single center die is indicated by the chart shown in Fig. 6.While this is a chart actually used in ornamenting vamps for a range ofsizes with die sections like those shown in the drawings, it should beunderstood that its inclusion in the specification has been made simplyby way of explanation and that other patterns very likely would requirevery different charts. With this particular pattern the six center diesshown in Fig. 3 cooperate with the lateral or wing dies illustrated inthe drawings in handling the entire range of sizes from 5 to 14 in thefour widths referred to in the chart.

\Vhile I have herein shown and described a typical embodiment of myinvention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied inother forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. In fact,changes necessarily will be required to adapt the invention to differentstyles of vamps.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

l. A die for ornamenting shoe vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the portion of said edge between said lateralportions, means supporting said central section for removal andreplacement by a similar section of a different size, and meanssupporting said lateral sections for bodily adjustment to cooperate withdiiTerent central sections in operating on different sizes of vamps.

2. A die for ornamenting shoe vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the portion of said edge between said lateralportions, means supporting said central section for removal andreplacement by a similar section ofa different size, and means operableto adjust said lateral sectionslongitudinally into cooperativerelationship to any one of a series of said central sections.

3. A die for ornamenting shoe vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the portion of saidedge between said lateralportions, the junctions between said lateral and central sections beingbehind the curves connecting the central approximately straight portionof said edge with the lateral portions thereof, and means supportingsaid lateral sections for slidable adjustment both laterally andlongitudinally into different positions appropriate for operating onVamps of different sizes.

4. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, meanssupporting said sections for adjustment into different positionsappropriate for operating on Vamps of different sizes, and mechanism foradjusting said sections comprising a lever, connections through whichthe movement of said lever is transmitted to said lateral dies to adjustthem simultaneously, and a scale cooperating with said lever.

5. A die for ornamenting the edges of the throat portions of shoe Vampscomprising a central die section, lateral die sections cooperating withit, a support for said sections, means releasably securing said centralsection in a fixed position on said support so that it may be removedand replaced by a similar section of a different size, said lateralsections being slidably adjustable laterally and longitudinally intodifferent positions appropriate to cooperate with different centralsections in operating on Vamps of different sizes, and means for holdingsaid dies in their cooperative relationship to each other.

6. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centraldie section cooperating with said lateral sections and mounted forremoval and replacement by a similar section of a difierent size, meanssup porting all of said sections, said central section being adapted tooperate on the part of said edge between said lateral portions, andmeans for adjusting said lateral sections into different positionssuitable for operating on Vamps of different sizes comprising a slide,means for moving said slide, and connections between said slide and saidlateral sections for giving each of said sections a combined sliding andpivotal movement.

7 A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centraldie section cooperating with said lateral sections and mounted forremoval and replacement by a similar section of a different size, meanssupporting all of said sections, said central section being adapted tooperate on the part of said edge between said lateral portions, andmeans for adjusting said lateral sections into difierent positionssuitable for operating on Vamps of different sizes comprising two barsconnected to each of said lateral sections and mounted to slide indifferent directions, and means for sliding said bars simultaneously.

8. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centraldie section cooperating with said lateral sections and mounted forremoval and replacement by a similar section of a different size, meanssupporting all of said sections, said central section being adapted tooperate on the part of said edge. between said lateral portions, andmeans for adjusting said lateral sections into different positionssuitable for operating on Vamps of different sizes comprising a lever,and connectionsthrough which movements of said lever are trans:- mittedto said lateral dies to adjust them simultaneously.

' 9. A die structure according to preceding claim 8, in which said meansfor adjusting the lateral die sections is operable to adjust them intopositions suitable for operating on Vamps of different widths withoutdisturbing the cooperative relationship between said die sections. 10. Adie structure according to preceding claim 8, including means operatedby said lever for releasably locking said center die in its operativeposition.

11. A die structure according to preceding claim 6, in which theconnections between said slideand each of said lateral sectionscomprises two bars mounted in the die structure for longitudinal slidingmovement, and one at least of said bars having a pivotal connection withits respective die section.

12. A die structure according to preceding claim 6, in which the meansfor adjusting said lateral sections is constructed and arranged to movethe pivots of said sections along converging lines, while the slidingcomponents of said adjusting movement of the respective dies aredirected along substantially parallel lines.

13. In a die structure of the character described, the combination witha base plate, die elements mounted thereon, and a guide pin for aidingthe operator in positioning the work relatively to said elements, of abushing threaded into said base plate and provided with a relativelylong bore in which said pin is guided for vertical movement, and aspring acting on said pin to hold it normally in a raised position.

14. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adaptedtooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, acentral section for operating on the portion of said edge between saidlateral portions, each section including a knife for cutting a portionof the edge of the vamp, said knives being independent of each other,means supporting said central section for removal and replacement by asimilar section of a different size, and means operable to adjust saidlateral sections simultaneously into cooperative relationship to saidrespective central sections.

15. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of. a vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the portion of said edge between said lateralportions, means supporting said central section for removal andreplacement by a similar section of a different size, and meanssupporting said lateral sections for adjustment into different positionssuitable for cooperating with different central sections in operating ondifferent sizes of Vamps, said lateral sections and said centralsections having keys and keyways to accommodate said keys serving toposition the lateral and central sections in correct register with eachother.

16. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the portion of said edge between said lateralportions, the junctions between said lateral and central sections beingbehind the curves connecting the central approximately straight portionof said edge with the lateral portions thereof, means supporting saidlateral sections for slidable adjustment both laterally andlongitudinally into different positions appropriate for operating onVamps of difierent sizes, and spring means for holding said sectionsreleasably in their cooperative relationship.

17. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the part of said edge between said lateralportions, means supporting said central section for removal andreplacement by a similar section of a difierent size, and meanssupporting said lateral sections for combined longitudinal and lateraladjustment into positions suitable for cooperation with said centralsection in operating on Vamps of different sizes.

18. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the part of said edge between said lateralportions, means supporting said central section for removal andreplacement by a similar section of a different size.

and means supporting said lateral sections for combined sliding andpivotal adjustment into positions suitable for cooperation with saidcentral section in operating on Vamps of different sizes.

19. A die for ornamenting shoe Vamps comprising sections adapted tooperate on the lateral portions of the edge of a Vamp throat, a centralsection for operating on the part of said edge between said lateralportions, means supporting said central section for removal andreplacement by a similar section of a different size, and meanssupporting said lateral sections for pivotal adjustment respectivelyaround centers positioned approximately in the straight portions of thelateral edges of the vamp throat adjacent to the junctions of said edgeswith the central edge portion of the throat and also for forward andrearward adjustment of said centers, to move said lateral sections intocooperative relationship tocentral sections of different sizes.

' CI-IESTERTON S. KNIGHT.

